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Playa del Carmen is a beachside town in the Mexican Caribbean about an hour south of Cancun. With boutique hotels, a pedestrian main street, and an authentic Mexican charm, &amp;ldquo;Playa,&amp;rdquo; as the locals call it, is like Cancun&amp;#039;s much cooler younger sister. It is centrally located in the Mayan Riviera, offering visitors long white beaches, a lively tourist district, Mayan ruins and ecotourism.

When to Go

Playa del Carmen has warm weather year-round thanks to a sub-tropical climate, so you can expect temperatures to be above 80 degrees at any time of year. Though the nights are cooler from November through January, the water remains warm enough during the day for swimming. February through June are the busiest months, with tourism peaking during the spring break season. July through November is hurricane season in the Caribbean, but many travelers like to visit Playa at this time to take advantage of hotel deals and fewer tourists. If you are traveling during hurricane season, consider buying traveler&amp;#039;s insurance along with your hotel or airline reservation.

Getting There

Most tourists fly into Cancun International Airport, the hub for the area. Playa del Carmen is a little less than an hour from the airport and an easy trip on major roadways. Once you exit customs at the airport, it can get a bit confusing, with tour operators trying to get your attention, but the taxis and public transportation are regulated by a union, so as long as you talk to one of the uniformed representatives or buy a ticket at one of the stands, you will get the standard rate. Private taxis are about five times the cost of the group vans that carry other travelers. You also can arrange for private transportation in advance; if you&amp;#039;re staying in a hotel, ask for the names of some reputable companies.

People

Many European and American tourists visit Playa del Carmen every year, and there&amp;#039;s also a sizable European and American expat community. Mexicans and other Latin Americans also vacation in Playa, and you can expect to see families, couples and single travelers of all ages. Most of the Mexicans who live and work in the area are of Mayan origin and extremely hospitable. Because tourism is the major industry, most locals are bilingual in Spanish and English, or at least have a working knowledge of English.

Activities

Playa del Carmen retains its village charm because of zoning laws that prohibit high-rises. You can find boutique hotels and B&amp;amp;Bs on the beach or on any of the streets close to the ocean; the major thoroughfare is Fifth Avenue, or Quinto Avenida, which runs through the whole town. There are hundreds of stores, cafes, restaurants, bars and specialty shops along Fifth Avenue and side streets. The avenue runs parallel to and one block from the ocean and beach, so don&amp;#039;t ever need a car. Beach bars, restaurants and water sports like snorkeling, jet skiing and boating are right on the beach, so everything is a short walk from your hotel. Playa del Carmen has been transformed from a sleepy fishing village, so there are many tourist shops and restaurants that cater to out-of-towners and also chain stores like Starbucks. But you can still find authentic Mayan cuisine downtown -- just ask a recommendation from your hotel staff or concierge.

Nearby Attractions

Playa Del Carmen is in the center of the Riviera Maya, so you are less than an hour away from the area&amp;#039;s best archaeological sites, eco-parks, scuba diving, wildlife and watersports. You can actually dive in the cenotes, or underwater rivers, right in Playa, or take the boat to the island of Cozumel from downtown for some spectacular diving. The reef here is the largest coral reef in the Western hemisphere, but you also can snorkel if you don&amp;#039;t want to go that deep. For archeological outings, it is easy to visit many Mayan ruins, including the jungle site of Coba, the Tulum ruins on a cliff overlooking the ocean, and the pyramids of Chichen Itza. For a mix of nature, wildlife, sports, history and spectacle, the ecological parks Xcaret and Xel-Ha also are close by.

Where to Stay

Downtown Playa del Carmen has stylish boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts, and small motels, and many of them also have rooftop pools. La Tortuga Hotel is an upscale hotel close to the beach and Fifth Avenue, and the Royal Palms Condo rents spacious luxury condos with multiple bedrooms. If you have a larger group and want privacy, there are luxurious vacation homes for rent close to the main tourist district. Outside of the downtown area and the low-rise building restrictions, you will find sprawling all-inclusive resorts, romantic beach hotels, chain resorts and everything between. For a honeymoon or romantic getaway, splurge at the Tides, which is well-known for personalized service and beautiful rooms.

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About the Author

Naomi Imatome has been writing professionally since 1999. Her work has appeared in "Inside New York," "Dining Out," "Art Culinaire" and "Lifestyle." Imatome wrote for AOL Cityguides for five years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Art History from Barnard College of Columbia University, and is an editor for a custom publisher.